COEUR d'ALENE - Former four-term state representative George Sayler announced his run for Coeur d'Alene City Council on Thursday, saying his desire to serve the community is as strong now as it was during his eight-year stay in the Idaho Legislature.

"It seems to me it's an important time," Sayler said on the decisions ahead for the city as major projects come down the line. "This development of McEuen is a big change, however that plays out, and the education corridor will be a big change."

Sayler has not filed his paperwork with the city but will seek seat 3, currently held by Al Hassell, who is not seeking re-election. It will be Sayler's first attempt at a city seat, and his platform supports many of the major decisions the current council has made.

Those include supporting the development of the McEuen Field project and the education corridor. He is a proponent of the city's urban renewal agency, Lake City Development Corp.

"Change is difficult, especially controversial change like the proposed re-design of McEuen Field," Sayler said, adding that as a board member to the Tubbs Hill Foundation, he didn't approve of Tubbs Hill being a part of the process.

It was removed from the plan, but Sayler said he would still explore ways to make it more accessible for people with disabilities, and would second a motion to put the McEuen Field plan to a public vote to let the public discourse decide the ultimate outcome - which hasn't happened yet.

"I've been motivated by public service," Sayler said on his decision to enter, which came after supporters suggested he do so, and after he "examined my conscience."

"I want to help continue a positive environment at the council level," he told The Press.

The former Democratic representative, who also issued a press release Thursday, said public discourse on major city topics has proven to be divisive, and at times negative.

"I want to confront that by seeking to work collaboratively with others, including those with differing views, in a positive, civil manner," the press release stated.

He said he supported the council's recent proposal to give city employees pay raises, especially since it isn't proposing to raise property taxes in the process.

Sayler also served on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. During that time he helped increase the homeowner's exemption from $50,000 to $100,000, and indexed it to housing prices, resulting in reduction in property taxes.

Supporting public services with contracted pay raises while not seeking more property taxes was prudent of the current commission, he said.

"It's a balancing act," he said. "But I certainly won't be looking at raising taxes."

He also said he doesn't favor curtailing collective bargaining at the municipal level.

Sayler was born and raised in Missoula, and graduated from the University of Montana in l967. After graduating, Sayler served in the military, including a tour in Vietnam. He married Coeur d'Alene native Kathleen Frost in l968. After receiving his master's degree in religious studies, he moved to Coeur d'Alene in l972.

His landmark legislation, he said, was strengthening Idaho's child care statute which improved the safety of children.

He retired in 2010, choosing not to run for a fifth term, before deciding to run for council.

Dan Gookin is also running for seat 3.